The Design of a Supportive Faculty Development Model: The Integration of Technology within the University Faculty's Teacher Candidate Coursework.

Crawford, Caroline M.

The desire to integrate technology within the PreK-12 educational environment is a noble endeavor and may lead to the enhancement of student achievement. Teacher candidates are constantly striving to understand the learning environment and to meet these expectations, but do not have models from which they may glean appropriate knowledge, conceptual and instructional frameworking. The integration of instructional technology within the methods coursework aids the teacher candidates through a model of appropriate technology integration within a classroom environment, as well as further enhances their own achievement. This paper discusses significant elements associated with the integration of technology within a learning environment. Discussion includes: information versus instruction; a definition of instructional technology; teacher-centered versus learner-centered learning environments; levels of World Wide Web integration; professional development opportunities model; learning environment interactive activities; faculty resistance; faculty implementation barriers; and rewarding faculty efforts. (Contains 5 references.) (Author/AEF)